Scrutiny over conditions

Inmate dies of tuberculosis in Basra Central Prison

2024-08-02 | 17:01

BASRA — An inmate in his forties passed away in Basra Central Prison on Thursday evening. He was sentenced under Article 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Law. The inmate, originally from Anbar province and born in 1980, was serving a 15-year sentence.

The inmate died due to tuberculosis while receiving treatment at the Teaching Hospital, where he had been a regular patient.

Mahdi Al-Tamimi, Director of the Human Rights Commission Office, told 964media that an initial investigation has already been conducted with the hospital, and a detailed report will be prepared in cooperation with the prison administration to determine the circumstances of the death.

According to a report by the Iraqi Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, the severe overcrowding in Iraqi prisons—housing an estimated 70,000 inmates across fewer than 30 facilities—has resulted in widespread diseases, drug trafficking, and the use of torture by interrogators. The Committee, according to Al-Salehi, head of the committee, has called upon the Ministry of Health to address the issue by providing medical treatment and establishing medical teams to conduct regular visits to prisons in a bid to ensure adequate health conditions for inmates nationwide, including those in Kurdistan Region prisons.

Many testimonies highlight widespread poor health, rapid disease transmission, and medical neglect in Iraqi prisons. The basic lack of hygiene makes these facilities a breeding ground for diseases like asthma, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. The crisis is further aggravated by inadequate ventilation and the absence of sanitizers. Additionally, overcrowding in Iraqi prisons is intensifying due to an increase in detentions and judicial delays.

The Ministry of Justice, according to Ahmed Laibi, Director General of Relations at the ministry, has implemented several reforms, such as training correctional officers, reducing overcrowding, ensuring sufficient space, and introducing basic education for inmates. According to Ahmed Laibi, Director General of Relations at the Ministry of Justice, complaint boxes that are accessible only to the Justice Minister have also been established in prisons.

Earlier this year, the Justice Minister revealed that prison capacity had been exceeded by 300 percent. In response, the ministry is implementing legal measures, including expanding parole and enacting an amnesty law approved by the governing State Administration Coalition. Additionally, infrastructure projects are in progress, with expansions of several correctional facilities.